Access system with adapter frame

Abstract

The present invention relates to a boarding system for vehicles, in particular for public transport vehicles (1), comprising a step cassette (6) with a cassette frame (10) and a step plate module (7) that is movable relative to the cassette frame (10). The invention is characterized in that • the boarding system (2) comprises an adapter frame (9) into which the cassette frame (10) can be inserted, wherein • the cassette frame (10) has a vehicle-independent size, and wherein • the adapter frame (9) has a vehicle-dependent size for adapting the boarding system (2) to a vehicle-side receptacle, such that the adapter frame (9) can be inserted in the vehicle-side receptacle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a boarding system for vehicles, in particular for public transport vehicles, comprising a step cassette with a cassette frame and a step plate module movable relative to the cassette frame.

[0002] Boarding systems are used to facilitate boarding and disembarking from a vehicle. "Boarding" can therefore be understood as both boarding and disembarking from the vehicle. For the purposes of the invention, a public transport vehicle can be, for example, a rail vehicle, in particular a train, a streetcar, a tram, or a subway, etc. Such a vehicle can also be a wheeled vehicle such as a bus. Boarding systems often facilitate boarding by reducing the gap between a platform (bus stop, sidewalk, street) and the vehicle and / or compensating for a height difference between the vehicle and the platform. Boarding systems can, for example, be designed as sliding step systems or folding step systems. Combined systems are also known. In the present case, particular attention is paid to sliding step systems.

[0003] The installation space available for an access system can vary depending on the vehicle type, size or even customer requirements. Accordingly, there is an increased need for simple and flexible adaptation of boarding systems and the associated step cassettes to the installation space available in a vehicle. To date, floor integration has been achieved using a cassette frame made of aluminum profiles, the size of which is adapted to the respective vehicle. The aluminum profiles usually contain contours for guiding the extension module or step plate module, for integrating the step cassette into the vehicle floor and for accommodating a maintenance cover. This means that in order to adapt the step cassette to the different vehicles, new or replacement parts are usually required.Redesign of the step cassette including its cassette frame is required, which involves considerable planning effort and high costs.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a boarding system that can be easily and cost-effectively adapted to the structural conditions of the vehicle in which the boarding system is to be used. Furthermore, the boarding system should be flexibly adaptable to customer requirements. The same object underlies the vehicle proposed according to the invention.

[0005] The stated problem is solved with an access system and a vehicle according to the independent claims.

[0006] The boarding system for vehicles according to the invention is particularly suitable for public transport vehicles. The boarding system comprises a step cassette, wherein the step cassette comprises a cassette frame and a step plate module. In addition to the step cassette, the boarding system according to the invention also comprises an adapter frame into which the cassette frame can be inserted. The cassette frame and / or the adapter frame can have fastening means for connecting, in particular detachably connecting, the cassette frame to the adapter frame. The cassette frame of the step cassette has a vehicle-independent size, whereas the adapter frame has a vehicle-dependent size. The adapter frame can be inserted into a vehicle-mounted receptacle. It can have fastening means for connecting, in particular detachably connecting, the adapter frame to the vehicle-mounted receptacle.The on-board mountings of different vehicles vary in size. Therefore, the adapter frame is designed to adapt the boarding system to the on-board mountings.

[0007] The boarding system essentially consists of the step cassette and the adapter frame. The step cassette can be used in a variety of vehicles thanks to the cassette frame's size, which is independent of the vehicle. The adapter frame has a vehicle-specific size, thus adapting the step cassette to the different sized vehicle-mounted receptacles of different vehicles.

[0008] The vehicle-dependent or vehicle-independent size of the frames (adapter frames, cassette frames) essentially refers, within the meaning of the application, to the external dimensions and shape of the frames. For example, the width, height, and / or length of the adapter frame are adapted to the dimensions of the vehicle-side mount. A profile adapted to the vehicle-side mount can also be used to manufacture the adapter frame, such as a wider and / or taller profile or a profile with a different cross-section and / or shape. All of these adaptations are meant, within the meaning of the application, by the formulation that the adapter frame is designed to be vehicle-dependent in terms of its size.

[0009] The boarding system is particularly modular. This means that the step cassette can be combined with a variety of differently sized adapter frames to create an boarding system consisting of a step cassette and an adapter frame. The adapter frame is adapted to the size of the vehicle-side mount, while the cassette frame and, in particular, the entire step cassette is always the same size, regardless of the vehicle. This means that the same step cassette can be used for every application or for every vehicle and combined with an adapter frame adapted to the vehicle-side mount. This means that only the adapter frame needs to be adapted to the specific size of the vehicle, eliminating the need for costly and complex redesign of the step cassette or cassette frame.

[0010] The vehicle-independent size of the cassette frame means that a specific size of the cassette frame can be used for several different vehicles with different sized on-board mounts. The cassette frame, and thus the entire step cassette, has a kind of standard size that can be used in many different vehicles.

[0011] The cassette frame, however, is not adapted to the vehicle-mounted mount. Its size, i.e., its external dimensions and shape, are the same for different vehicles with different-sized vehicle-mounted mounts.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cassette frame and / or the adapter frame can have tabs for connecting the cassette frame to the adapter frame. The tabs preferably serve to accommodate screw connections so that the cassette frame can be screwed to the adapter frame. For this purpose, the tabs can each have bores, and / or elongated holes, and / or threads, which, together with screws and possibly nuts, form the screw connections. Corresponding bores, elongated holes, and / or threads can be provided in the other component (cassette frame and / or adapter frame) to form the screw connection.

[0013] The tabs or at least some of the tabs can also be used to attach additional components to the cassette frame and / or the adapter frame.

[0014] The tabs or at least part of the tabs can also be used for additional fastening of the step cassette to the vehicle and in particular to the vehicle-side mount.

[0015] In particular, the tabs are formed integrally with the cassette frame. "Integral" means that the tabs are not subsequently attached to the cassette frame as an additional component. The tabs can be produced, for example, by forming certain areas of the cassette frame, for example, by laser cutting and then bending the tab out of the cassette frame. If the cassette frame is designed as a cast part, the tabs can be formed directly during the casting process.

[0016] The tabs protrude from the cassette frame, allowing for easy attachment of the cassette frame to the adapter frame. Preferably, the tabs protrude from a surface of the cassette frame at an angle of 80 to 100°, particularly 90°. In particular, the tabs protrude beyond the cassette frame or its profiles, allowing the tabs to overlap with the adapter frame.

[0017] The tabs are preferably punched or lasered into the cassette frame during production, and then bent out, folded out, and / or erected.

[0018] The cassette frame is preferably designed as a laser-edged component. Unlike certain aluminum profiles, for example, it is not extruded or continuously cast, so no large tools are required to produce the cassette frame. In the production of laser-edged components, the profiles and tabs for the cassette frame are first laser-cut in their unfolded or unwound form from a flat metal sheet. They are then formed into a three-dimensional profile, such as a C-profile, through one or more forming processes, and the tabs are then raised or bent out.

[0019] The length of the tabs corresponds, in particular, to a maximum of one height of the cassette frame. The outer shape of the cassette frame is usually rectangular and corresponds to a flat cuboid, with the height of the cuboid being much smaller than its width and length.

[0020] Depending on the application, it is also conceivable for the brackets to be welded or screwed to the cassette frame. The brackets can, for example, be designed as L-brackets or flat irons, which can be attached to the cassette frame using screw connections or welded joints.

[0021] The cassette frame can be designed as a substantially rectangular frame with four legs. The legs can be made of rectangular tubes, C-profiles, U-profiles, and / or other profile shapes. In particular, these are metal tubes or metal profiles. C-profiles are particularly preferred.

[0022] The cassette frame does not have to be completely closed on all four sides. It is also conceivable for the cassette frame to have an opening in one leg, for example, for the tread plate module to pass through, or even to comprise only three legs, so that the tread plate module can be extended on the side of the rectangular cassette frame where there is no leg or profile. For this purpose, the cassette frame can, for example, form a U-shape or C-shape using three legs. The open side, i.e. where no tube or profile is provided, can be stiffened by a strut, whereby the strut is arranged and / or configured in such a way that it allows the tread plate module to be extended. Such a strut can, for example, be designed as a flat iron, a round bar, a tension strut or the like.To enable the extension of the tread plate module, the cross-sectional profile of the strut can be smaller than the cross-sectional profile of the remaining tubes or the profiles of the cassette frame. However, it is also conceivable for the strut or the fourth tube or profile to be arranged in a different plane than the other three tubes or profiles of the cassette frame, thus enabling the extension of the tread plate module in the plane of the three tubes or profiles of the cassette frame.

[0023] The step cassette can, in particular, comprise a cassette housing that is attached to the cassette frame. The cassette housing can be made of metal, plastic, composite materials, and / or other suitable materials. The cassette housing can be configured to essentially isolate the step cassette from the environment, i.e., to protect it from environmental influences such as contamination, moisture, sunlight, and the like. Therefore, the cassette housing is, in particular, essentially closed. Nevertheless, various functional openings can be provided in the cassette housing, through which, for example, the step cassette can be attached or maintained, or through which the step plate module can be extended.

[0024] Since the tread plate module is part of the tread cassette, the adapter frame, in particular, lacks any guide profiles or guide rails for extending the tread plate module. This task is performed by the tread cassette or its modules, and in particular, the cassette frame. This allows for a very simple design of the adapter frame.

[0025] A step cassette designed in this way can also significantly simplify installation, as the electrical contact to the drive module can be established via standardized connector elements, and the step cassette can also be attached to the adapter frame using standardized fasteners. This eliminates the need to adapt the fastening elements of the step cassette or cassette frame to the vehicle-mounted mount, as was previously the case. The same applies to maintenance of the step cassette, which can also be significantly simplified due to the simple assembly / disassembly.

[0026] As already mentioned, different vehicles have different sized vehicle-mounted mountings for the access system. The vehicle-mounted mountings can vary in size depending on the manufacturer, model, design, or customer requirements. This means that the vehicle-mounted mountings can be of different widths, depths, and / or heights, as well as different shapes.

[0027] The step cassette according to the invention or the cassette frame according to the invention of the present application is not suitable for floor integration without an adapter frame. A joint or gap would be created around the step cassette in the vehicle's floor, since floor integration, for example, by means of moldings on the cassette frame, is not provided. In this way, the external shape of the cassette frame can be kept very simple. Floor integration is the task of the adapter frame, as described below.

[0028] The adapter frame is adapted to the shape of the cassette frame, allowing the cassette frame and thus the entire step cassette to be arranged within it. A cassette holder can be provided on the adapter frame for this purpose. The cassette holder can be a recess in the adapter frame into which the step cassette can be completely accommodated.

[0029] When properly installed, the adapter frame, together with the step cassette, is positioned beneath the vehicle floor. The "vehicle floor" refers to the floor inside the vehicle that is accessed by the occupants. In particular, a cover of the access system can form part of the vehicle floor and be aligned with it when properly installed. The cover then essentially closes the vehicle-side receptacle at the top.

[0030] The intended installation condition is the condition in which the access system is installed in the vehicle and is fully functional. This means that all assemblies / modules of the access system are correctly installed in the vehicle and the access system is functional.

[0031] The adapter frame can have fastening means by means of which the adapter frame can be connected to the vehicle via the vehicle-side mount. The fastening means can include, for example, screw connections, form-fitting connections, snap-hook connections, and the like. For this purpose, corresponding parts of the fastening means, such as molded-on portions, openings, threads, or studs, can also be provided on the vehicle-side mount. Screw connections can be preferred because they are cost-effective and offer easy assembly / disassembly while simultaneously being highly rigid. Openings can be provided on both the adapter frame and the vehicle-side mount through which the screws of the screw connection can be inserted and, in conjunction with suitable nuts or threads, can form the screw connection.Other fastening methods are also conceivable, such as riveted joints or adhesive joints.

[0032] The cassette frame and / or the adapter frame can comprise fastening means for, in particular, a detachable connection of the cassette frame to the adapter frame. Appropriate fastening means can be provided to enable the cassette frame to be attached to the adapter frame. The fastening means can comprise molded-on portions on the cassette frame and / or the adapter frame, as well as screw connections, form-fitting connections, snap-hook connections, and the like. The same fastening means can be used that have already been proposed for connecting the adapter frame and the vehicle-mounted mount.

[0033] The tread plate module is designed to be movable relative to the cassette frame. The tread plate module can be moved manually (by hand / muscle power) or automatically. To enable the tread plate module to be moved, the tread plate cassette can include an extension module for movably mounting the tread plate module on the cassette frame. For automated movement, the tread plate cassette can include a drive module.

[0034] The extension module can, for example, be an extension frame, extension rails, or linear guides, which are connected to the cassette frame on the one hand and to the step module on the other. The step module can be designed in one or more parts and serves as an extendable step for passengers boarding and disembarking. The step module is therefore designed to support the weight of boarding passengers. The drive module allows the step module, e.g., a step plate, to be extended from a retracted position to an extended position and vice versa.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cassette frame can be made of stainless steel, preferably from stainless steel profiles. A cassette frame made of stainless steel has the advantage of being less susceptible to corrosion and also much easier to clean. This is advantageous because the cassette frame can come into contact with salt water and contaminants during operation.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the adapter frame can be made of aluminum, in particular aluminum profiles. Extruded or continuously cast aluminum profiles are particularly suitable for the adapter frame. It can also be provided that only a portion of the adapter frame is made of aluminum profiles.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the adapter frame can be configured such that it can be fully integrated into the floor of the vehicle. For the purposes of the application, "fully integrated into the floor" means that an upper side of the adapter frame is arranged flush with the floor of the vehicle. In other words, the adapter frame is aligned with the floor and arranged in the vehicle-side mount in such a way that it is essentially integrated into the surface of the floor, preventing any tripping hazards from being created by the adapter frame in the floor or in the surface of the floor.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the access system can comprise a cover for covering the top side of the step cassette, wherein the cover can be inserted into a cover receptacle in the adapter frame. The cover serves to enable maintenance of the access system and, in particular, to enable maintenance of the step cassette or its components. The cover can therefore also be referred to as a maintenance cover. The cover can, in particular, be attached to the adapter frame by means of hinges, so that the cover is designed to be hinged open. However, the cover can also be designed to be completely removable.

[0039] The cover seals the access system at the top and serves as a step surface in the vehicle floor. Therefore, especially when the access system is properly installed in the vehicle, the cover is aligned with the vehicle floor, so that the cover forms at least part of the vehicle floor. As already described above for the adapter frame, the cover can be fully integrated into the vehicle floor. In particular, the cover closes an opening in the vehicle floor through which the access system can be embedded in the floor.

[0040] In particular, the cover has an anti-slip surface. The cover can also have a surface identical to the surface of the vehicle's floor. The surface structure and / or surface material of the cover can be designed to be identical to a surface structure and / or surface material of the floor.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the drive module, and / or the extension module, and / or the step plate module can be of a vehicle-independent size. The modules are the same size for each vehicle. This avoids complex and costly size adjustment of the modules.

[0042] In particular, the entire step cassette is of a vehicle-independent size. These features are based on the fact that the step cassette and its components or assemblies / modules have standard sizes that are not specifically / individually adapted to a vehicle. Using standard-sized step cassettes can save costs and storage space, as well as increase flexibility.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an electrical plug-in element arranged on the adapter frame can be provided, which is configured to interact with a corresponding vehicle-mounted electrical plug-in element and to supply the pedal cassette or the drive module with electrical energy and / or to enable data exchange. Corresponding "plug-in elements" are understood here to mean the provision of a plug-in connection in the sense of a plug-socket principle. The vehicle-mounted plug-in element is connected to a vehicle-mounted electrical energy source and / or to a data processing unit. The adapter frame-mounted plug-in element is connected to the drive module for electrical and / or signaling purposes.The connection between the adapter frame-side plug-in element and the drive module can be ensured by an additional plug connection, a cable or other electrical or signal connection means.

[0044] It should be emphasized that the object underlying the invention is also achieved with a vehicle, in particular a public transport vehicle, which has an access system according to the invention.

[0045] The invention can also encompass a modular kit for boarding systems. In such a modular kit, the cassette frame or the entire step cassette is provided in a limited number of different sizes. For example, cassette frames can be provided in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. The resulting limited number of step cassettes of different sizes can be combined with a variety of adapter frames to create a modular kit for the boarding system in which one can choose from the three step cassettes of different sizes and the variety of adapter frames, so that the boarding system can be used in a wide variety of different vehicles. In particular, at least 5 or at least 10 adapter frames of different sizes are provided for each step cassette, each of which is sized to fit a specific vehicle-side receptacle.

[0046] The invention is further explained below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a section of a vehicle with a boarding system in a proper installation state in the vehicle, Fig. 2 the boarding system from Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a section of the step cassette of the access system from Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 a section of the step cassette of the access system from Fig. 1 with adapter frame attached.

[0047] Figure 1shows a section of a vehicle 1 with a boarding system 2 in a properly installed state. In this case, the vehicle 1 is a rail vehicle for public transport. The vehicle 1 has a door opening 3, with the boarding system 2 being recessed into a floor 4 of the vehicle 1 below the door opening 3 and arranged in a vehicle-side receptacle. The boarding system 2 is fully integrated into the floor 4 and is intended to simplify the boarding and alighting of passengers. The boarding system 2 is integrated into the floor 4 of the vehicle 1 in such a way that there are no tripping hazards between the boarding system 2 and the floor 4, and an upper side of the boarding system 2 is flush with the floor 4.

[0048] The boarding system 2 comprises a cover 5, which forms part of the floor 4, since the cover 5 spans the upwardly open vehicle-side receptacle in the floor 4. The cover 5 also covers a step cassette 6 at the top, so that passengers do not step on the step cassette 6 itself. The step cassette 6 is in Fig. 1 covered by the cover 5 and therefore not visible. The upper side of the cover 5 essentially forms the upper side of the access system 2, wherein the upper side of the cover 5 is arranged flush with the floor 4.

[0049] Below the cover 5 or the floor level 4, a step module 7 with a partially extended tread surface is shown. The step module 7 can be extended when the vehicle 1 stops, making boarding and disembarking easier for passengers. Passengers can use the tread surface of the step module 7 as a step or foothold.

[0050] In Figure 2 The structure of the boarding system 2 is Figure 1 The access system 2 is made up of the step cassette 6 and an adapter frame 9, whereby these two components are Figure 2 are shown spaced apart from each other. The step cassette 6 comprises, in addition to the step plate module 7, a drive module 11 for automatically extending and retracting the step plate module 7, an extension module 8 designed as a linear guide for the movable mounting of the step plate module 7, and a cassette frame 10. The cassette frame 10 is attached to the adapter frame 9 by means of tabs 12 and screw connections 13 (see in particular Figure 4 ).

[0051] The cover 5 is arranged in a cover receptacle in the adapter frame 9 and is detachably connected to it. When the access system 2 is installed as intended, the cover 5 can be removed from the adapter frame 9, allowing access to the modules of the step cassette 6 underneath. The adapter frame 9 remains firmly connected to the step cassette 6 and the vehicle 1.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a section of the step cassette 6 of the access system 2 from Figure 1without adapter frame 9. The step cassette 6 is shown diagonally from above. The tabs 12, which are formed integrally with the cassette frame 10, are clearly visible here. The cassette frame 10 is made of C-profiles, which is easily recognizable by the C-shaped cross-section of the profiles with a horizontal top side, a horizontal bottom side, and a vertical side surface connecting the horizontal top side with the horizontal bottom side. The tabs 12 are lasered out of the vertical side surfaces of the C-profiles of the cassette frame 10 and bent upwards into a horizontal position. The tabs 12 are arranged at a 90° angle to the vertical side surfaces of the C-profiles and are aligned with the horizontal top sides of the C-profiles.

[0053] The tabs 12 have openings through which the screw connections 13 can be inserted, so that the cassette frame 10 and the adapter frame 9 can be detachably connected to each other. The screws of the screw connections 13 are in Figure 3 inserted through the openings of the tabs 12 only as an example. In the intended installation state, the screws are first inserted through the adapter frame 9 and counter-locked from below with nuts, unless threads are provided in the openings of the tabs 12 of the cassette frame 10.

[0054] Figure 4 shows the step cassette 6 with the adapter frame 9 attached to it, viewed diagonally from below. Here, the attachment of the cassette frame 10 to the adapter frame 9 via the tabs 12 is clearly visible. The screws of the screw connections 13 are inserted through corresponding openings in the adapter frame 9. The nuts for securing the screws are not shown.

[0055] The extension module 8 with its linear guides is clearly visible. The step plate module 7 is directly connected to the drive module 11. Using the linear guides, the drive module 11 can extend the step plate module 7 laterally out of the vehicle 1, i.e., transversely to the direction of travel 14 of the vehicle 1. List of reference symbols

[0056] 1Vehicle 2Boarding system 3Door opening 4Floor 5Cover 6Step cassette 7Step plate module 8Extension module 9Adapter frame 10Cassette frame 11Drive module 12Tab 13Screw connections 14Direction of travel

Claims

1. Boarding system (2) for vehicles (1), in particular for vehicles (1) of public transport, comprising a step cassette (6) with a cassette frame (10) and a step plate module (7) movable relative to the cassette frame (10), characterized in that • the boarding system (2) comprises an adapter frame (9) into which the cassette frame (10) can be inserted, wherein • the cassette frame (10) has a vehicle-independent size, and wherein • the adapter frame (9) has a vehicle-dependent size for adapting the boarding system (2) to a vehicle-side receptacle, so that the adapter frame (9) can be inserted in the vehicle-side receptacle.

2. Boarding system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cassette frame (10) and / or the adapter frame (9) has / have tabs (12) for connecting the cassette frame (10) to the adapter frame (9).

3. Boarding system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe tabs (12) are formed integrally with the cassette frame (10).

4. Boarding system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette frame (10) is made of stainless steel, preferably of stainless steel profiles.

5. Boarding system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter frame (9) is made of aluminum, preferably of aluminum profiles.

6. Boarding system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access system (2) comprises a cover (5) for covering an upper side of the step cassette (6), wherein the adapter frame (9) has a cover receptacle into which the cover (5) can be inserted.

7. Boarding system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe cover (5) can be inserted in a proper installation state of the boarding system (2) in the vehicle (1) in alignment with a floor (4) of the vehicle (1) and the cover (5) is designed to form at least part of the floor (4).

8. Boarding system (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (5) has an anti-slip surface.

9. Boarding system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step plate module (7) has a vehicle-independent size 10. Boarding system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire step cassette (6) has a vehicle-independent size.

11. Boarding system (2) for vehicles (1), in particular for vehicles (1) of public transport, comprising a step cassette (6) with a cassette frame (10) and a step plate module (7) movable relative to the cassette frame (10), characterized in thata single cassette frame (10) can be inserted into a plurality of different adapter frames (9) with different dimensions, wherein the different adapter frames (9) are designed such that they can each be used with different vehicles with different installation dimensions.

12. Vehicle (1), in particular a public transport vehicle (1), with an access system (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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